A man from Las Vegas, with a criminal history spanning two decades, is facing murder charges following the discovery of his girlfriend’s body in their shared residence. The man reportedly walked into the Southeast Area Command Center of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department around 2:30 p.m. on Monday, expressing fear for his life if anyone discovered his presence at the police station.
The informant, according to the police report, claimed to have overheard a heated argument between the accused, James Gina III, and his girlfriend, Celina Rebholz, two days prior. Rebholz was reportedly accusing Gina of being a pedophile, and the argument escalated to the point where Gina threatened to shoot Rebholz. Gina’s mother attempted to intervene, but was also threatened with violence, leading her and the witness to leave the house for approximately three hours.
Upon their return, the witness described Gina as being in a state of panic and distress. Gina led the witness to a bedroom where Rebholz was found naked on the floor, with a chest wound. Despite the witness’s advice to call an ambulance, Gina refused. The witness later received a text message from Gina stating that Rebholz was dead, which he deleted out of fear of being implicated in the murder.
The witness further informed the police that Gina confessed to killing Rebholz and hiding her body in the attic. Gina allegedly wanted to move the body due to the onset of decomposition and asked the witness to help him rent a car as all their vehicles were out of order. The witness also warned the police about Gina’s violent temper, his use of crystal meth, and his possession of at least three firearms.
Later that day, around 7:30 p.m., officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department searched the house and found Rebholz’s body covered with a blanket in Gina’s bedroom. Gina was subsequently arrested and is currently being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center. He faces charges of open murder involving a deadly weapon and owning/possessing a gun as a prohibited person.
Gina’s mother reportedly told the police that her son accidentally shot Rebholz while handling his gun. However, the police report indicates that Rebholz was shot 12 times. Gina’s criminal record, dating back to 2002, includes multiple domestic violence cases and five felony convictions.
Gina’s preliminary hearing is set for September 5. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is urging anyone with information about the case to come forward.